Help! I think my my Camellia is dead?

kgd25April 2, 2014

We pruned the bush in October and the bush has still yet to grow one leaf? I am scared that my husband killed the plant, but I can't tell? I figured now that it is Spring, it would have some growth. I don't want to dig it up if it's not dead, but I don't know? Help!

Some of my early blooming japonicas decided to bloom, sleep and start finishing their bloomage now. I have not noticed new leaves opening here yet so you may just want to wait and continue watering to keep the soil as evenly moist as possible. I fertilize later this month; if you think there may be a problem, do not fertilize now as stressed plants should not be fertilized.

they can be slow to recover from heavy pruning. give it some time, scratch the outer layer of the stems and look for green underneath. if green, it is alive. i have pruned a couple of plants back to practically bare stems after some damage from home renovations and they did not flower for a few years.